To My Elders

To My Elders

Please be there when I go.
I want you there in rows and rows.
I want you gathered in a place
Like together on the face
Of this land you all once were.

I remember that so well.
You were all gathered like a clan,
A tribe, a people set aside
From town and country.

Now there you should be collecting
As if you were fireflies in the night
Sent to render me sight.
I want you all on the wing,
And then I want to hear you sing.
Sing, you all. Tell the truth!
I’m deceived by my memories of you.

I’ve lost what you left to me.
You be there! You be there all
So that I can ask you
As I move on,
Stripping away my relations,
Shedding skin of land I love,
Of life lived in stations.
Take me to you, show me my home.
Give back my integrity.
Validate my existence
With reasons I can believe in.

Come to me restless to give me sight.
Come regretful. Say I was right.
Tell me what mattered. Disclose what was real.

Wait for me in file.
I’ll be just a while,
Then I should know – I, myself, should know,
Only be there when I go.